Continuous electrical mechanical filter



A. F. MESTON. CONTINUOUS ELEGTRICAL MECHANICAL FILTER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. I918.

Patented Mar. 16, 1920.

INS UL HTED i v grwe'moz MM 2 WI Gnome.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARCHIBALD F. MESTON; OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO RESEARCHCORPORATION,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK. I

CONTINUOUS ELECTRICAL MECHANICAL FILTER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AROHIBALD F. MEsToN, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of NewYorlghave invented certain new and useful Improvements in ContinuousElectrical Mechanical Filters, of which the following is aspecification.

The present invention relates to method of and'means for removing from aliquid, solid matter held thereon in the form of colloidal or-otherfinely. divided suspended par ticles.

It is generally the object of the invention to provide a method of andmeans for continugusly filtering liquids.

To carry out this object 1 pass the liquid to be treated along adefinite path, act on it during such passage to cause agglomeration ofparticles suspended therein and successively interpose filtering mediain the path of movement.

The principle on which the invention is.

based, the purpose and the mode of operation will be more distinctlypointed out in connection with the description of the appended drawings,in ,which Figure 1 is a plan view of a device embodying thecharacteristic parts of the invention; I

Fig. 2 and 1 Fig.3 a wiringdiagram for the electric circuit u se'd inconnection with it.

In Figs. 1 and 2, a box 1 serves as a support for the various elementscomprising the filter apparatus. ()n this box l is mounted a wheel ordrum 2 of a materlal wh ch is an electrical conductor and having aporous rim v3 through which the'Il-iqui'd to be filtered can readilypass. ,Th i sf wheel 2;.has lateral walls or, flan es et, toffpartlyiiiclose the inner part: of the, wheel I 2 and pern it vheelltq, besubmerged in'a liquid in'thebofii'toa con sid able dep h Q tameag. lquid p ai into the interior ,vli except through'the p imavberigidly,mounted lorra sh a a H er -J yr f m e: slee -Hea see welilg mate-n1 "rally ll 'aft d W a H a pear." Thisshaft f) may be h'lditandfi suitab ulo ated outside-t a side elevation partlyin sectionj;

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented 1 a1, 16, 1920,

Application filed February 23, 1918. Serial No. 218,792.

tion. For turning, the shaft connection may be made through pulleys 9and 10 and belt 11 to a motor 12 which I prefer for special reasons tobe a Variable speed motor.

Over the wheel or drum 2 passes an endless belt 14, preferably offibrous material or other material pervious to the liquid to be treated,but so constituted as to act as a filter toward particles suspended inthe liquid, if such particles are not in an extreme degree ofdispersion.

This endless belt travels over a'pulley 15 having flanges 16 to keep thebelt in alinement. Intermediate the Wheel 2 and the pulley 15, the belt14 passes between rolls 17 and 18. The roll 18 can be pressed againstthe belt 14 by means of springs or weights (not shown) and made to actas an idler pulley to hold the belt taut. Under the action of the rolls17 and 18. the belt is squeezed as it passe; therebetween and the excessfluid is removed.

A pipe 19 terminating in a nozzlev 20 is sov disposed as to deliveracleaning fluid as steam, water or oil upon the belt. The diS-Q positionof the rolls 17 and 18 and of the nozzle 20 is preferably such as shown,that the cleaning fluid delivered upon the belt and the fluid squeezedout from the belt are collected in a special compartment 21. Thiscompartment may be convenientlyfforl ned by a ,pa1tition'22in box l, i

The liquid which has passed through the belt 14 and theporous wall ofwheel 2 into theinterior {of the wheelmay be removed-1n. any suitablemanner as by negative pressure. For this purpose a pipe 23 may beextended through the aperture formed by onejof'thfe flanges" 4 andcloseto th'e'bottomjo' f the drum 2. 'Since the spokes "6 are centrallylocated,

h p r 2 does otinterfe e w th. big era tio ri of: th'ejd i 1 2" and 25iiiayi b jp i ided nLt abQX 1afor the electrode 27 may be connected to asupply of the liquid to be filtered.

The duct 29 is supported on a rod 30 of insulating material to which itis connected by coupling 31 or in any other suitable way. At its upperend the rod 30 is connected to a plunger 32 extending into a solenoid33. In order to balance the weight of the plunger 32, rod 30, duct 29and electrode 27, a counter-balance 34 may be attached to one end of alever 35, the other end of which is attached through a pivoted link 35'to the plunger 32. An upright 36, which may be secured to the box 1, isused to support the solenoid 33 by means of arms 37 and arms 38 may beattached thereto for guiding the rod 30 and the plunger 32. The upperend of the upright 36 carries a lug 39 to pivotally support lever 35 andact as a fulcrum therefor.

Fig. 3 shows the electrical connections that permit of nearly automaticcontrol of the electrical circuit.

An alternating current generator 40 furnishes current to a circuitincluding the primary of a transformer 41. the motor 12 and the solenoid33. The secondary 42 of the transformer has one pole connected to theelectrode 27 and the other to the Wheel 2. The connections maybe made inany suitable way. As shown, the Wire 44 is joined to the duct 29 whichmay be of electrical conducting material and the wire 45 makesconnection to the shaft 5 through a binding post 46 and a contact arm 47bearing on the shaft 5.

A resistance 48 may be connected in series with the motor and aresistance 49 in parallel therewith to admit of an adjust-' ment andregulation of the motor load relatively to the transformer load. Themotor system is preferably so designed that the motor speed increaseswhen the current of the circuit increases.

electric stress within the liquid between the two electrodes, of suchintensity that there tends to be a migration and agglomeration of thesuspended particles in the liquid.

The potential difference between the elec-- trode 27 and wheel 2 is keptbelow the point where disruptive discharge can take place, although thelining up of the suspended particles between the electrodes tends tocause short circuits and disruptive discharges. However, the moving ofthe belt draws out these chains of agglomerated particles and diminishesthis tendency. Because of the movement of the liquid toward and throughthe belt and additionally because of the electric act-ion, suspendedparticles are carried to the surface of the belt which intercepts thepath between the electrodes. Thoseparticles that have agglomerated willbe mechanically filtered out. Other particles will be-stopped by thebelt because of the electric charges upon them or upon the belt and theresultant attraction between belt and particles. The liquid passesthrough the belt and the porous wall of the wheel 2 and is carried awaythrough the pipe 23 which may be connected to a syphon, pump or thelike.

The movement of the filter performs two functions: It tends to break upthe path of agglomerated particles that might settle between the twoelectrodes and join them and it affords a convenient means for cleaningthe filter without interrupting the operation.

The filtering process is kept substantially uniform through the use ofthe solenoid 33. When the current passing between the electrodesincreases, the solenoid action increases and the plunger 32 is drawnfarther into it. The rod 30 is thereby lowered correspondingly and withit the electrode 27. This action is entirelyautomatic.

The uniformity of the filtering process is additionally promoted by thecharacter of the motor 12. By suitable design, the motor may be made toincrease its speed as a function of the increase of the current flowingonthe motor circuit which is, of course, also a function of thetransformer load current.

As the current passing between the electrodes increases, the motorspeeds up in proportion and thereby compensates, of its own accord, forthe change ofthe electrical condition between the electrodes.

It is understood that various changes can be made within the scope .ofthe above disclosure. The wheel andelectrode may be disposedhorizontally. The device for cleaning the belt may assume differentforms. The support for the electrode and the means for automaticallyoperating it may be altered in many ways. The form of electrodemay bevaried considerably and the means for passing the liquid to be filteredtoward the filter may be carried out in different ways. What is shownand described is merely for the purpose ofvexplaining the principles onwhich the invention is. based and showing one way for carrying it out inpractice. a

The filter above describedis not limited to any particular application,since it may be a liquid which consists in passing a liquid along adefinite path, acting on the liquid during such movement to causeagglomeration of particles suspended therein and successivelyinterposing filtering media in the path of movement.

2. The process of continuously filtering a liquid which consists inpassing a liquid along a definite path, successively interposingfiltering media in the path of movement and subjecting the liquid duringthe movement toward the filtering media to a field ofelectric stress.

3. The process of continuously filtering a liquid which consists inpassing a liquid toward a filtering medium, impressing an electromotiveforce upon the liquid, removing the filtering medium, substitutinganother filtering medium therefor, cleaning the removed filteringmedium, and bringing it back into filtering position.

4:. The process of continuously filtering a liquid which consists inpassing a liquid toward a filtering medium, impressing an electromotiveforce upon the liquid, successively replacing one filtering medium byanother, successively cleaning the filtering media as they are replacedand successively bringing them back into filtering position.

5. In apparatus for filtering liquids, the combination of means fordefining a passage way for a liquid, means for passing a liquid throughthe passage way, filtering media and means for successively bringing thefiltering media into filtering positionand means for acting upon theliquid during its passage to the filtering media to agglomerateparticles suspended therein.

6. In apparatus for filtering a liquid, the combination of means fordefining a passage way for a liquid, means tbr passing a liquid throughthe passage way, filtering media and means for successively interposingsaid filtering media in the path of the liquid and means for subjectingthe liquid during its passage toward the filtering mediato a field ofelectric stress.

7. In apparatus for filtering a liquid, the combination of means forproducing a field of electric stress, means for passing a liquid intosaid field, filtering means for successively positioning differentfiltering units in the said field transversely of the direction ofstress, and means for successively cleaning said filtering units whenthey are out of said field.

8. In apparatus for filtering a liquid, the

combination of means for producing a field of electric stress, means forpassing a liquid into said field, an endless filtering medium perviousto the liquid but impervious to particles suspended therein, and meansfor moving said filtering m edium so that different portions thereof aresuccessively positioned in the said field transversely of the directionof stress.

9. In an apparatus for filtering a liquid, the combination of twoelectrodes and means for producing a field ofelectric stresstherebetween, means for passing a liquid into said field in thedirection of the lines of stress, filtering means and means forsuccessively positioning different filtering units between saidelectrodes.

10. In apparatus for filtering a liquid, the

combination of two electrodes and means for producing a field ofelectric stress therebetween, means for passing a liquid into said fieldin the direction of the lines of stress, an endless filtering medium andmeans for moving said filtering medium to successively positiondifferent portions thereof between the electrodes.

11. In apparatus for filtering a liquid, thecombination of twoelectrodes and means for producing a field of electric stresstherebetween, one of said electrodes being hollow and having outletsdirected toward the other electrode, means for passing a liquid throughthe hollow electrode toward the other elec trode, and a filterpositioned intermediate the two electrodes.

12. In apparatus for-filtering a liquid, the combination of twoelectrodes and means for producing a field of electric stresstherebetween, one of said electrodes being hollow and having outletsdirected toward the other electrode, means for passing a liquid throughthe hollow electrode toward the other electrode, filtering means, andmeans for successively positioning different filtering units between theelectrodes.

13. In apparatus for filtering a liquid, the combination of twoelectrodes and means for producing a field of electric stresstherebetween, one of said electrodes being hollow and having outletsdirected toward the other electrode, means for passing a liquid throughthe hollow electrode toward the other electrode, an endless filteringmedium, means for successively positioning different portions of thefiltering medium between the electrodes. and means for successivelycleaning portions of said filtering medium not so positioned.

14. In apparatus for filtering a liquid, the combination of twoelectrodes and means for producing a field of electric stresstherebetween, one of said electrodes being hollow and having a rotatablecylindrical porous rim, the other electrode being hollowand havingoutlets directed toward the first electrode, means for passing a liquidthrough said second electrode and said outlets, and filtering meanssurrounding the porous rim.

15. In apparatus for filtering a liquid, the combination of twoelectrodes and means for producing a field of electric stresstherebetween, one of said electrodes being a rotatably mounted drumhaving a porous rim, the other electrode being hollow and "havingoutlets directed toward said drum, means for passing a liquid throughthe hollow electrode and said outlets, and a filtering belt running overthe said porous rim.

16. In apparatus for filtering a liquid, the combination of a drumhaving a porous rim of electrical conducting material, a hollowelectrode substantially concentric with the said drum and having nozzlesextending radially toward the drum, a movable filtering mediumsurrounding the porous rim, means for passng a liquid through the hollowelectrode and said nozzles and means for connecting the porous rim andthe hollow electrode to an electric circuit.

17. In apparatus for filtering a liquid, the combination of a rotatablymounted dru'm having a porous rim of electrical conducting material, ahollow electrode substantially concentric with the said drum and havingnozzles extending radially toward the drum.

means for passing a liquid through the ho] low electrode and saidnozzles, a filtering belt running over the porous rim, means forcleaning a portion of the belt ata distance from the drum and means forconnecting the porous rim and the hollow electrode to an electriccircuit.

18. In apparatus for filtering a liquid, the combination of twoelectrodes and means for producing a field of electric stress there-'between, filtering means, means for successively interposing differentportions of said filtering means between the two electrodes, and meansfor keeping the stress adjacent said filtering means substantiallyconstant.

19. In, apparatus for filtering a liquid, the combination of twoelectrodes and means for producing a field ofelectric stresstherebetween, filtering means, means for successively interposmgdifferent portions of said filtering means between the two electrodes,and means for varying the distance between the electrodes to keep thestress adjacent said filtering means substantially constant.

20. In apparatus for filtering a liquid, the combination'of twoelectrodes, a circuit for impressing an electromotive force upon thesaid electrodes, means for passing a liquid between the electrodes, afiltering medium between the electrodes, and means responsive to thecurrent flowing in the circuit for adjusting the distance between theelectrodes substantially in proportion tothe current.

21. In apparatus for filtering a liquid, the combination of twoelectrodes, one being. mounted for motion relatively to the other, acircuit for impressing an electromotive force upon the said electrodes,means for passing a liquid between the two electrodes, a filteringmedium between the electrodes, and means responsive to the currentflowing in the circuit for moving the movable electrode toward and awayfrom the other electrode when the current decreases and increasesrespect-ively.

22. In apparatus for filtering a liquid, the combination of twoelectrodes, one of said electrodes being a rotatably' mounted drumhaving a porous rim, an electric circuit for impressing an electromotiveforce upon said electrodes, means for passing a liquid between theelectrodes, a filtering medium surrounding the porous rim, means forrotating the drum and means for varying the speed of rotation inproportion to the current flowing in the circuit.

In apparatus for filtering a liquid, the combination of two electrodesmounted for motion toward and away from each other, one of saidelectrodes being a rotatably mounted drum having a porous rim, afiltering medium surrounding the porous rim, a circuit for impressing anelectromotive force upon the electrodes, means for moving the movableelectrode relatively to the other electrode in proportion to the currentflowing in the circuit, means for rotating the drum, and means forvarying the speed of rotation in proportion to the current flowing inthe circuit.

24. In apparatus for filtering a liquid, the combination of twoelectrodes, one of said electrodes being a rotatably mounted drum havinga porous rim, a filtering medium surrounding the porous rim, means forimpressing an electromotive force upon 'the said electrodes, means forpassing a liquid between the electrodes, and means communicating withthe interior of the drum for re moving; .1iquid while the drum isrotated.

25. In apparatus for filtering a liquid, the combination of twoelectrodes, one of said electrodes being a rotatably mounted drum havinga porous rim, a filtering medium sur rounding the porous rim, means forimpressing an electromotive force upon the said electrodes, means forpassing a liquid between the electrodes, an opening in one side wall ofthe drum, and a tube extending through said opening into the interior ofthe drum for removing liquid while the drum is rotated.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

ARCHIBALD r. MESTON.

